Show features Lemoore-based Navy pilots mission against ISIS

During the filming, the two Lemoore-based pilots were sent to target an oil pipeline in a remote area of eastern Syria in an effort to cripple ISIS's financial resources. (KFSN)

KFSN

Sunday, March 06, 2016

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) --

Two pilots based out of Naval Air Station Lemoore are now on the front lines of the fight against ISIS.

And Sunday, ABC's This Week featured the men in an exclusive look at their mission. Lieutenant Commander John Hiltz and Lieutenant Charles Wickware are serving from the USS Harry S. Truman.

The aircraft carrier deployed to the Persian Gulf in November.

During the filming, the two Lemoore-based pilots were sent to target an oil pipeline in a remote area of eastern Syria in an effort to cripple ISIS's financial resources. They had to refuel in mid-air during an intense storm and then land back on the aircraft carrier at night but the mission was a success.

"It was not exactly routine," the pilots said. "We had to climb above a thunderstorm then drop below it so we could get the bomb damage assessment, so it was not as scripted, but we got the results we wanted. You get kind of used to those kind of changes, comes with experience that things not going as planned."

The two pilots are both with VFA-25. It's the only squadron from Naval Air Station Lemoore that's currently serving on the aircraft carrier or from the east coast.